2003 GMC SONOMA brake light

Never attempt to turn around if you are about to stall
when going up a hill. If the hill is steep enough to stall
your vehicle, it’s steep enough to cause you to roll
over if you turn around. If you can’t make it up the hill,
you must back straight down the hill.
Q:Suppose, after stalling, I try to back down the
hill and decide I just can’t do it.What should
I do?
A:Set the parking brake, put your transmission in
PARK (P) (or the manual transmission in
FIRST (1)) and turn off the engine. Leave the
vehicle and go get some help. Exit on the uphill
side and stay clear of the path the vehicle
would take if it rolled downhill.
Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you downhill, you’ll want to
consider a number of things:
How steep is the downhill? Will I be able to maintain
vehicle control?
What’s the surface like? Smooth? Rough? Slippery?
Hard-packed dirt? Gravel?
Are there hidden surface obstacles? Ruts? Logs?
Boulders?
What’s at the bottom of the hill? Is there a hidden
creek bank or even a river bottom with large rocks?If you decide you can go down a hill safely, then try to
keep your vehicle headed straight down, and use a
low gear. This way, engine drag can help your brakes
and they won’t have to do all the work. Descend slowly,
keeping your vehicle under control at all times.
{CAUTION:
Heavy braking when going down a hill can
cause your brakes to overheat and fade.This
could cause loss of control and a serious
accident.Apply the brakes lightly when
descending a hill and use a low gear to keep
vehicle speed under control.
Q:Are there some things I should not do when
driving down a hill?
A:Yes! These are important because if you ignore
them you could lose control and have a serious
accident.
When driving downhill, avoid turns that take you
across the incline of the hill. A hill that’s not too steep
to drive down may be too steep to drive across. You
could roll over if you don’t drive straight down.
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2003 - Sonoma OM

The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy
rain can make it harder to see road signs and
traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road
and even people walking.
It’s wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape
and keep your windshield washer tanklled with
washeruid. Replace your windshield wiper inserts
when they show signs of streaking or missing areas on
the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to
separate from the inserts.Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems,
too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid
puddles. But if you can’t, try to slow down before you
hit them.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents.They won’t
work as well in a quick stop and may cause
pulling to one side.You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly
until your brakes work normally.
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Brake Wear
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle has four-wheel
disc brakes. If not, your vehicle has front disc brakes
and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedalfirmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to an accident. When you hear the brake
wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes arefirst applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with your brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specifications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected immediately.
Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or
changing. When you have the front brake pads
replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 6-32.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
If you don’t have four-wheel drive and your brake
pedal goes down farther than normal, your rear drum
brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by backing
up andfirmly applying the brakes a few times.
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. Be sure to follow the steps below to do it safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some
or all of these things can hurt you.
Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it
won’t work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12–volt
battery with a negative ground system.Notice:If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both vehicles can be
damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brakefirmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in PARK (P) or a manual transmission
in NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake. If
you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure
the transfer case is not in NEUTRAL (N).
Notice:If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or in the accessory power outlets. Turn off
the radio and all lamps that aren’t needed. This will
avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And it
could save your radio!
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Fuse Usage
W/W PMP Not Used
HORN Horn
BTSI Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System
B/U LP Back Up Lamps
IGN B Column Feed,Ignition 2, 3, 4
STARTER Starter
RAP Retained Accessory Power
LD LEV Not Used
OXYSEN Oxygen Sensor
IGN E Engine
MIR/LKS Mirrors, Door Locks
FOG LP Fog Lamps
IGN A Starting and Charging Ignition 1
STUD #2 Accessory Feeds, Electric Brake
PARKLP Parking Lamps
LR PRK Left Rear Parking Lamps
LIFTGLASS Liftglass
IGN C Starter Solenoid, Fuel Pump,
PRNDL
HTDSEAT Heated SeatFuse Usage
HVAC Heating,Ventilation, Air Cooling
System
TRCHMSL Trailer Center High Mount Stop Light
RRDFOG Rear Defogger
TBC Truck Body Computer
CRANK Clutch Switch, NSBU Switch
CHMSL Center High Mounted Stoplamp
HAZLP Hazard Lamps
VECHMSL Vehicle Center High-Mounted
Stop Lamp
RR DEFOG Rear Defogger
HTDMIR Heated Mirror
ATC Transfer Case (Four-Wheel Drive)
STOPLP Stop Lamps
RR W/W Rear Window Wiper
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A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-15
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-63
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-38
Additional Program Information........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-5
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-88
Add-On Equipment..........................................4-48
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)....................3-39, 3-42, 3-49, 3-59
After Off-Road Driving.....................................4-26
Air Bag
Off Light.....................................................3-24
Readiness Light..........................................3-24
Air Bag System..............................................1-54
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-63
Air Bag Off Switch.......................................1-60
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-58
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-63
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?....................1-58
What Will You See After an Air Bag
Inflates?..................................................1-58
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?...................1-57
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-56
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
All Overseas Locations...................................... 7-4Aluminum Wheels...........................................5-84
AM ...............................................................3-67
AM-FM Radio.................................................3-37
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-69
Anti-Lock Brake System.................................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-28
Appearance Care............................................5-79
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-82
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-85
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-79
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-82
Finish Damage............................................5-85
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..........5-86
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-85
Underbody Maintenance
...............................5-85
Weatherstrips
..............................................5-82
Approaching a Hill
..........................................4-18
Ashtrays
........................................................3-16
Assist Handles
...............................................2-50
Audio System(s)
.............................................3-36
AM-FM Radio
.............................................3-37
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
................3-68
Care of Your CD Player
...............................3-69
Care of Your CDs
........................................3-69
Fixed Mast Antenna
.....................................3-69
Radio with Cassette and CD
.........................3-47
Radio with CD
............................................3-40
Radio with Six-Disc CD
................................3-56
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-37
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-36
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-67
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-67
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-11
Automatic Transmission...................................2-22
Fluid..........................................................5-20
Operation...................................................2-25
Automatic Transmission Check..........................6-27
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-29
B
Backing Up....................................................4-58
Battery..........................................................5-42
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Rundown Protection.............................3-15
Bed Rails......................................................2-52
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-33
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-13
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-28
Brake
Parking......................................................2-32
System Inspection.......................................6-32Brake (cont.)
System Warning Light..................................3-27
Brake Adjustment............................................5-41
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-41
Brake Wear...................................................5-41
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Braking........................................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-7
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-20
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-50
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-54
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50
Headlamps.................................................5-50
One-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps...............5-52
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-55
Taillamps....................................................5-55
Two-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps...............5-53
Buying New Tires...........................................5-62
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada........................................................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-6
Capacities and Specifications............................5-94
Carbon Monoxide...................4-36, 4-51, 2-12, 2-37
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-82
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-68
Your CD Player...........................................3-69
Your CDs ...................................................3-69
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-54
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-26
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-54
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-23
Chains, Tires..................................................5-66
Charging System Light....................................3-26
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-29
Gages Warning Light
...................................3-34
Checking Brake Fluid
......................................5-40
Checking Coolant
............................................5-26
Checking Engine Oil
........................................5-13
Checking the Fluid Level
..................................5-21
Checking Things Under the Hood
....................... 5-8
Checking Your Restraint Systems
......................1-64
Chemical Paint Spotting
...................................5-85
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems
...............................1-36
Infants and Young Children
...........................1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
..........................1-44
Older Children
.............................................1-30Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Seat Position...........................................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position...............................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-49
Top Strap...................................................1-41
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Where to Put the Restraint...................1-39, 1-40
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-16
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-79
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-82
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-85
Weatherstrips..............................................5-82
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-83
Cleaning the Mirror.........................................2-39
Cleaning the Photocells...................................2-39
Climate Control System...................................3-17
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-19
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-24
Compact Disc Messages.................3-46, 3-56, 3-67
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-78
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-17
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
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2003 - Sonoma OM